Now that is a reasonable concern. Hailey Van Lith will struggle to defend in the SEC but Kateri and Poa are there as backup. Mikaylah should be fine once she gets some game experience like Flaujae last season. Aneesah has all the tools to be a good a defender but that depends on if she's playing the 4 or the 3. She's going to struggle if she's playing the 4, and Angel will struggle playing defense at the 5.
2023 LSU Offseason Thread
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Idk probably not great. They will be slow. Mikaylah Rosario and Van Lith move like snails.
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On the flip side they survived with Carson (or she was benched) and she was terrible on defense.
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Actually, I suspect Aneesah is in a paradoxical situation as a defender. She's small for the 4 and slow for the 3. In the Big East, she didn't face that many taller 4s and 5s, and so she could credibly defend and rebound from the 4. She was usually only giving up a couple inches, not 5 or 6 inches. In the SEC, however, they'll often face much larger front lines. And if she is asked to defend the 3, she's really not quick enough to keep up with the likes of Rickea Jackson, or really anyone on SC's wing. In terms of physical skills, I suspect Mikayla Williams may look like a tempting alternative to Kim.
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Not really she is slow as hell. She isn't a good defender, offensive minded really at this stage. Withstanding Maybe Reese, none of the starting 5 are really good defenders... so I guess it will come down to their offense which is scary IMO
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How the pieces fit together at LSU will be very interesting to watch. Big names and big stats but the roster construction, without out extraordinary player development, seems suspect on paper.
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I haven’t compared them side by side, but Mikayla looks to be a little quicker than Aneesah. She may not be the scorer Aneesah is but she’s very strong.
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The problem with LSU is while they have some talent, they don't have a PG, don't have the size inside, lack perimeter shooting and dont have the pieces to be special defensively. Hailey Van Lith, Morrow and the incoming freshmen class aren't great defenders and lack athleticism and the skillset to do what Mulkey teams do on defense. Mulkey went after hot names this offseason versus adding to address needs.... this is why I think all these significant deficiencies will lead to LSU being 3rd or 4th in the stronger SEC this year behind SC, TN, Ole Miss/Miss St, and heck A&M could be another one to possible overpass If their pieces gel.
Maybe someone develops and takes on a role to cover these deficiencies but there are too many question marks on paper to overlook.... I have LSU right now as a 2nd round/maybe with the correct matchup a sweet 16 type of team with the current roster construction and coaching. Maybe they surprise me but I'm not seeing it. LSU had better overall roster construction/pieces their first two years under Kim.
Of course injuries could derail things significantly even more for this team or any team for that matter...
Lsu has many options at the PG spot. Flaujae, Mikaylah, Poole, and Poa are all combo guards who can play the position effectively if Hailey struggles. Valez is the only true PG but last years team didn't have a true PG on the roster.
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LSU has the potential to be pretty scary. I can't wait to see how they blend their talents.
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Not seeing it, but we shall see.
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I don't agree with the trepidation. OFC there are zero assurances in the NCAA Tourney, but why would anyone be so certain that if you give Kim Mulkey talent - that she won't produce one helluva team? Not saying they are going to win it all. But what has Kim shwon over the last bunch of years that she can't put a terrific team together when she has the talent?
LSUAlum96
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You have got to be joking with this take! LOL!^^^^^^^
LSU will be fine defensively................will probably be one of the top two defensive teams in the SEC. I didn't see ANY of the problems you're mentioning against V-Tech, other than a hobbled Van Lith having trouble with Amoore.
"... I have LSU right now as a 2nd round/maybe with the correct matchup a sweet 16 type of team with the current roster construction and coaching....."
Just stop while you're ahead.
LSUAlum96
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Tennessee.....................................? Mississippi State......................? Well I know who NOT to trust when it comes to predictions in the future. LOL!
Kim made no "massive mistake" bringing in the talent she did. She's a coach who CLEARLY knows how to build a championship level team / program. That's why you bring in the transfers that she did. You don't think Morrow and Van Lith are "talented"? What games are you watching?
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You have got to be joking with this take! LOL!^^^^^^^
LSU will be fine defensively................will probably be one of the top two defensive teams in the SEC. I didn't see ANY of the problems you're mentioning against V-Tech, other than a hobbled Van Lith having trouble with Amoore.
"... I have LSU right now as a 2nd round/maybe with the correct matchup a sweet 16 type of team with the current roster construction and coaching....."
Just stop while you're ahead.
One thing I've noticed is that Morrow is doing a great job staying out of foul trouble. My impression of her time at DePaul was that she was foul prone because she could be more aggressive than necessary. Glad to see it as she provides a lot on both ends of the court.
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